Good news for parents: new game will not force them to re-buy NFC-enabled characters. Photo: Supplied

Seen as Disney's answer to Activision's ground-breaking Skylanders series, Infinity follows the same pattern: it is both a video game and a line of toys, with the two products interacting. In order to play a particular character within the game, players need to have a plastic figure of that character.

With dozens of characters available, buying a complete set of characters required substantial financial commitment. The game and the toys were both popular items on many kids' 2013 Christmas wishlists.

The technology is ingenious: chips hidden inside the base of each toy use NFC (near-field communication) technology, similar to that used in tap-and-go credit cards. When a toy is placed on the special base – which attaches to the games console via USB cable – the game detects the character and an interactive digital version immediately appears within the game.

While many fans accused it of shamelessly stealing Activision's idea, Disney managed to differentiate its product in several key ways. First, the Skylanders games are traditional linear adventure titles, while Infinity offers players open worlds and the freedom to build their own levels, which can then be shared online.

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Second, where Skylanders created a huge cast of original characters, Disney were able to draw on their vast catalogue of Disney Animation, Pixar, and live-action films. Children and Disney-loving adults alike had the chance to play with Mickey Mouse, the sisters from hit film Frozen, the titular superhero family from Pixar's The Incredibles, and more.

Even before it was released, however, many commentators were asking what other properties might be included in the game. Disney owns a vast stable of intellectual properties, and had recently added to it with the purchase of both Marvel and Star Wars. Many asked if perhaps Chewbacca and Wolverine might be appearing.

While neither franchise showed up during the first year, one of them is about to become the central focus of the entire product. Disney Infinity 2.0 will launch later this year with Marvel superheroes on board, starting with the main heroes featured in The Avengers movie: Black Widow, Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor, and Hawkeye.

Of course, the original Infinity ended up featuring about 30 characters, so the sequel will also expand. Disney said last week that the Avengers would be followed by characters from other Marvel franchises.

Interestingly, however, the same statement said that "other Disney franchises" will be represented. This could mean a lot of things, but fan speculation on the internet has already gone wild. Marvel heroes are science fiction, or at least a related genre, so perhaps this will also mark the appearance of Star Wars in the Infinity franchise. With a new Star Wars film due out in 2015, the timing could hardly be better.

Apart from the addition of new characters, Disney has also promised a substantial overhaul to Infinity's game systems. The popular Toy Box mode, which allows players to build their own levels using smart, interactive tools, will receive an overhaul. Disney claims the new Toy Box will be easier to use and will help users to share their creations more easily.

Finally, parents will not have to worry that the toys they have already spent so much money on will go to waste: the new Toy Box mode will be fully compatible with all the characters released for the original game.

Infinity was a huge hit for Disney, and the company will be looking to follow up on that success and cement it as a Christmas shopping tradition. The competition will be fierce, though: Activision has unveiled the next Skylanders, subtitled Trap Team.

This Christmas will be another head-to-head battle between Disney Infinity and Skylanders.